SuperProbe Version 2.21 (12 October 1999)
(c) Copyright 1993,1994 by David Wexelblat dwex_at_xfree86.org
(c) Copyright 1994-1998 by The XFree86 Project, Inc
This work is derived from the 'vgadoc2.zip' and
'vgadoc3.zip' documentation packages produced by Finn
Thoegersen, and released with all appropriate permissions
having been obtained. Additional information obtained from
'Programmer's Guide to the EGA and VGA, 2nd ed', by Richard
Ferraro, and from manufacturer's data books
Bug reports are welcome, and should be sent to XFree86_at_XFree86.org.
In particular, reports of chipsets that this program fails to
correctly detect are appreciated.
Before submitting a report, please make sure that you have the
latest version of SuperProbe (see http://www.xfree86.org/FAQ).
First video: Super-VGA
Chipset: Yamaha 6388 VPDC (Port Probed)
RAMDAC: Generic 8-bit pseudo-color DAC
(with 6-bit wide lookup tables (or in 6-bit mode))

I don't know why, but I have access on the hardware settings (like volume,
brightness, video output, ... ) via the keyboard as the icons imply. Use
Fn-(Key) to increase and Fn-Shift-(Key) for decrease. From Microsoft-Windows98 the
features are known from the jog-dial.

Frank Ronneburg reported for a Sony VAIO 505X
, which seems similar to this machine:
Fn+Sound first time OFF, second time ON (volume doesn't work)
Fn+Brightness brighter
Fn+Shift+Brightness darker
Fn+Zz don't use, machine will lock
Fn+LCD/VGA LCD or VGA or LCD+VGA

The key combination <Fn>+<d> seems to shut of the display backlight
and <Fn>+<f> toggles the resolution in console mode.
Couldn't check this, because I don't have this machine anymore [WH].

sjog(http://sjog.sourceforge.net/)
is a program that uses the Sony Vaio laptops Jog Wheel to launch user
applications. S-Jøg is also able to adjust the brightness of the Vaio
screen and the sound volume using the Jog Wheel. S-Jøg pops up when you
move the Jog Wheel then disappears after 3 seconds of inactivity.

"This
program(http://samba.org/picturebook/)
captures images and movies on a Sony VAIO picturebook laptop, taking advantage of the built in CCD camera,
hardware JPEG encoder, and jog dial.
It also includes a utility to change the brightness of the laptop's backlight, and a utility to display detailed battery
information.
It may also be useful on other Sony laptops with similar hardware but without the picturebook's camera."
I had no time to check this programm yet.

picctrl(http://www.alcove-labs.org/en/software/sonypi/)
is a small program that can use the Sony Programmable I/O Control
device (SPIC), which is part of Sony Vaio's, to do a few simple things.
Currently, it can only be used to control the brightness on the LCD
backlight, and print out some information about the battery.